a fake announcement<\/a> of a UFC fight with Chase Hooper, who had just lost by knockout to Lance Gibson Jr..<\/p>\nIt wasn\u2019t about Hooper specifically, he explained, but the fact that fighters like him were under the bright lights of the UFC while he still worked his way up in Brazil.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe lost, actually,\u201d Nascimento told MMA Fighting, \u201cand I kept asking myself, \u2018What does this guy have that I don\u2019t? Does he just sell really well?\u2019 I couldn\u2019t understand it. He got to the UFC at a very young age but I thought, \u2018I\u2019ll throw it out into the universe. If it happens, it happens.\u2019 I had nothing to lose, so I went for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hooper is scheduled to fight Mitch Ramirez on July 18 in Oklahoma City, his 14th octagon appearance, and Nascimento is down to finally getting the chance to share the cage with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cEasy money,\u201d Nascimento laughed. \u201cHonestly. I don\u2019t know what he\u2019s doing here, or why he was here and I wasn\u2019t. I kept asking myself that. But it is what it is, he had his opportunity. Still, it\u2019s a fight I\u2019d love to have. Now I\u2019m finally here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nascimento took the UFC Baku bout on short notice against a fellow promotional newcomer and moves up from his original weight class to take on Abdullaev at welterweight. \u201cToddynho\u201d said he expected a call \u201cat any moment\u201d as the UFC has plenty of events booked for Abu Dhabi, Serbia and Azerbaijan, and it finally came through.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like that atmosphere, you know?\u201d Nascimento said of facing an opponent in enemy territory. \u201cI think it motivates me and gives me an extra boost. Of course it\u2019s great to fight at home, close to my family and friends, but seeing the crowd booing me and then proving them wrong gives me even more motivation. I enjoy it. And the pressure ends up being even greater on my opponent because of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nascimento was named one of the top Brazilian prospects to watch<\/a> in 2024 and felt ready enough for the UFC at that time. Two years later \u2014 and three LFA title wins under his belt \u2014, Nascimento says \u201cmy game is different now.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019m calmer,\u201d Nascimento said, \u201cand this is the right moment for me to shine and build a long career here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RFT talent will return to the 155-pound class after UFC Baku but plans to leave the door open for other short-notice opportunities at welterweight after he gets through Abdullaev.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a war,\u201d Nascimento said. \u201cHe\u2019s the kind of guy who comes to fight, and so am I. I never back down. I\u2019m really happy about this opportunity. He might underestimate me a little because of the weight class, thinking he\u2019s stronger, but I can see my right hand landing on him, and it could very well end in a knockout.\u201d<\/p>\n